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Five Port Arthur students are the recipients of this year’s Port Arthur Police Officers Association scholarships.

Nathan Ladia, Guadalupe Ceja-Lopez, Jovany Figueroa, Horacio Garcia and Akiyah Harden were chosen from a pool of 21 applicants, according to association vice-president Lieutenant Jeremy Lloyd.

The individuals were judged on their applications, which included a 500-word essay.

Association treasurer Officer Wendy Billiot said all of the students had impressive applications and the decisions were difficult.

Each of the five graduates received a $1,000 scholarship.

The association provides the scholarships as a way to give back to the community.

The winners:

• Nathan Ladia lives in Port Arthur and is a graduate of Woodrow Wilson Early College High School. He plans to attend Lamar University and major in electrical engineering.

• Guadalupe Ceja-Lopez is a graduate of Bob Hope High School. She plans to attend Lamar Institute of Technology and work toward an associate of applied science degree with the goal of going into the diagnostic medical sonography field.

• Akiyah Harden is a graduate of Memorial High School. She plans to attend Lamar University and pursue a degree in nursing.

• Horacio Garcia is a graduate of Nederland high School. He plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin and major in pre-medicine with plans to become a doctor.

• Jovany Figueroa is a graduate of Bob Hope High School. He plans to attend Lamar State College Port Arthur and major in academic studies before going into the dental hygiene field.

All five students expressed gratitude to the police association for their scholarships.